Storylines

Using Positioning Theory (Rom Harré) as a framework we discussed and experimented with:

• how storylines play a big part in the facilitator's setting the stage - are we looking for problems, solutions, guilt etc.
• how storylines make only certain positions available for the participants - e.g. participant, listener, in-group etc.
• that team members' differing use of storylines of the past can be the root to understand a conflict
• that metaphors can be a clue to which storylines may be in use
• that it's the tiny little words we use that make all the difference
• that a facilitator can train awareness of storylines and positioning